A 25-year-old man selling bangles on the streets was beaten up by a mob in Indore after he told them his name on being asked.

Home minister Narottam Mishra in BJP-ruled Madhya Pradesh said on Monday the dispute erupted because the man had posed as a Hindu while selling bangles to women although he belonged to another community. It is unclear why the minister thinks the religion of a vendor should matter to customers.

“In this connection, two Aadhaar cards were seized from him,” Mishra said.

A video of the incident, that took place on Sunday in Indore’s Govind Nagar area, went viral on social media.

In one of the viral clips, some people were purportedly seen thrashing the vendor, identified as Tasleem Ali, while he pleaded for mercy.

In another video, a person beating up the vendor was seen accusing him of harassing women. The person was also seen abusing the vendor and inciting others to hit him while warning the man not to be seen in the area again.

The vendor, hailing from Hardoi district in neighbouring Uttar Pradesh, filed a police complaint on Sunday night, alleging that five-six persons from the mob asked him his name and started beating him when he told them.

He also alleged that the mob used objectionable words and snatched Rs 10,000 from him along with his mobile phone, Aadhaar card, other documents and bangles worth around Rs 25,000.

A police officer said based on the man’s complaint, an FIR was registered under IPC sections 153-A (promoting enmity between different groups), 141 (unlawful gathering), 147 (rioting), 395 (dacoity), 120- B (criminal conspiracy) and other relevant provisions. Efforts were on to nab those involved in thrashing him, he said.

The officer added that on Sunday night, a large number of people along with the bangle seller reached the Central Kotwali police station where they allegedly indulged in inappropriate sloganeering.

A separate FIR was registered against them on charges of rioting, forcibly obstructing a public way and other relevant sections of the IPC, the official said.

District magistrate Manish Singh said members of some small outfits were suspected to be behind the ruckus in the Central Kotwali area. They have been identified and, if necessary, they might be externed and booked under the National Security Act, he said.

Minister Mishra said police took action against both the sides.